Movies Update: ‘F9’ and More

Plus, a talk with Rita Moreno

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story June 25, 2021 By Mekado Murphy Movies Editor Hey, movie fans! Watch cars swing from ropes, fly through buildings and get launched into space in the new "Fast & Furious" movie, "F9," playing pretty much in any multiplex near you. Our critic A.O. Scott writes that the director Justin Lin makes the film "feel scrappy and baroque at the same time," as "the brand rests on twin foundations of silliness and sincerity." If you want to brush up on your "Fast" characters, check out our explainer of who's who, then watch Lin walk through one of the film's more ambitious action scenes. Also new to theaters this week is the documentary "Summer of Soul," which brings to light stored-away footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The film features performances from Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, a teenage Stevie Wonder and more. In his Critic's Pick review, Wesley Morris calls it a film "with no shortage of system shocks." As "In the Heights" continues in theaters and on HBO Max, we had a conversation with one of its stars, Jimmy Smits, as well as a round-table discussion about the film's lack of Afro-Latino representation in its main cast. The actress Rita Moreno, 89, is the subject of a new documentary, and Melena Ryzik had a conversation with her about the ups, downs and surprises of her career. Other new releases this week include the dark comedy "False Positive" (on Hulu), the gay immigrant love story "I Carry You With Me" (in theaters) and the Netflix Liam Neeson thriller "The Ice Road." Enjoy the movies! Universal Pictures 'F9' Review: Objects in Rearview Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear Vin Diesel returns to lead his fast and furious family on another dangerous and ridiculous mission. By A.O. Scott Searchlight Pictures Critic's Pick 'Summer of Soul' Review: In 1969 Harlem, a Music Festival Stuns Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson, Mavis Staples and others shine in a documentary about the Harlem Cultural Festival from Questlove. By Wesley Morris Lucka Ngô for The New York Times Rita Moreno: Pathbreaker, Activist and 'A Kick in the Pants' The actress discusses being the subject of a new documentary, and spending eight-plus decades in the spotlight. By Melena Ryzik Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT CRITICS' PICKS Alejandro Lopez Pineda/Sony Pictures Classics Critic's Pick 'I Carry You with Me' Review: When You Can't Go Home Again The documentary filmmaker Heidi Ewing dramatizes a gay immigrant love story in this empathetic portrait. By Jeannette Catsoulis STREAMING RECOMMENDATIONS Shudder Five Horror Movies to Stream Now A fable of terror from the 1970s. An over-the-top reckoning with the '80s. A ghoulish thriller featuring an R&B singer of the '90s. This month's horror picks are gift baskets of nostalgia. By Erik Piepenburg Macall Polay/Fox Searchlight Pictures 'Stoker,' 'Synchronic' and More Hidden Streaming Gems Keep your home viewing interesting with these options off the beaten path. By Jason Bailey ANATOMY OF A SCENE Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures Anatomy of a Scene Watch Vin Diesel Drive Through a Minefield in 'F9' The director Justin Lin narrates an explosive sequence from the latest chapter in the "Fast & Furious" saga. By Mekado Murphy MOVIE REVIEWS Netflix 'The Ice Road' Review: The Mighty Trucks Liam Neeson fights for traction as a big-rig driver in this mildly entertaining thriller. By Jeannette Catsoulis Anna Kooris/Hulu 'False Positive' Review: Pregnancy Scares This Hulu horror movie is a tepid, scattered look at the dark side of childbirth starring the "Broad City" co-creator Ilana Glazer. By Beatrice Loayza Dark Sky Films 'My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To' Review: Bound by Blood Two siblings struggle to provide for their freakish brother in this pitch-black family drama. By Lena Wilson Vertical Entertainment 'Lansky' Review: A Mobster Burnishes His Legacy Harvey Keitel stars as the underworld financial wizard in this dramatization. By Ben Kenigsberg Lionsgate 'Siberia' Review: Beast of the Northern Wilds Abel Ferrara's latest psychodrama sends an ever-intense Willem Dafoe into the Arctic wilderness on a visionary reckoning with his memories and sense of self. By Nicolas Rapold Murugan/Netflix 'Jagame Thandhiram' Review: Scheme, Slaughter, Repeat A Tamil gangster gets recruited to work for a British tycoon in this bloody crime drama. By Natalia Winkelman Disney+ 'Wolfgang' Review: Light as a Soufflé, and About as Substantial David Gelb's biographical documentary says much about what Wolfgang Puck has done, and very little about who he is By Jason Bailey Apple TV+ 'Fathom' Review: A Whale of a Conversation Scientists attempt to communicate with humpback whales in this Apple TV+ documentary. By Amy Nicholson Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT NEWS & FEATURES Universal Pictures Wait, Who's Fast, Who's Furious? A guide to the characters and the melodramas in the sprawling, surprisingly complicated "Fast & Furious" franchise. By Calum Marsh Warner Bros. 'In the Heights' and Colorism: What Is Lost When Afro-Latinos Are Erased The film, set in a New York neighborhood known as the Little Dominican Republic, didn't cast dark-skinned Latinos in lead roles. Our writers discuss how that absence reverberates. By Maira Garcia, Sandra E. Garcia, Isabelia Herrera, Concepción de León, Maya Phillips and A.O. Scott Justin J Wee for The New York Times Ilana Glazer on the Terror of the Modern Birth System and 'False Positive' The "Broad City" co-creator starred in and co-wrote a horror film about pregnancy. It's being released just as she is becoming a mother. By Dave Itzkoff How are we doing? We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please email thoughts and suggestions to moviesupdate@nytimes.com. Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Movies Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018